TruckLogics Spotlight: Trucking Jobs
Do you know the ins and outs of truck driving careers in America? Not many do, and even some in the trucking industry have no idea.
So we decided to shed some light on trucking jobs in this post! Whether you’re thinking about getting into the trucking industry, or you’re a seasoned veteran, this post has something for you.
What’s the Outlook for Trucking Jobs?
While the economy will ebb and flow over the years, employment in the trucking industry is projected to grow 5% over the next decade – which is as fast as any industry.
In 2015, the median pay of heavy and tractor-trailer drivers was $40,260 annually, and $19.36 per hour. In 2014, the number of jobs was around 1,797,700.
The trucking industry isn’t going away anytime soon. Sure, it’s going to change as an industry – but it’s not going away.
Types of Trucking Jobs
There are several paths to take within the trucking industry. Sure, there are dispatchers and office managers, but even as a driver there are plenty of gigs.
Like what? Well, here are a few options according to life as a trucker:
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flat Bed
- Tankers
- Bull haulers
- Auto haulers
- LTL freight
No matter what, there’s a job for you – you just need to decide if it’s the one you want!
Local Trucking Jobs
Some people say they love driving, but wish they were near their family more.
According to TruckingTruth, finding the right job will take you balancing home life with work life. If you’re young with fewer attachments, being OTR might be right for you, at least for right now.
If you have a family that you would like to see, you have to decide between a higher paying OTR gig and a local company. Now, a local company might pay as well as an OTR, but you’re also not guaranteed to see your family as much as you’d like. They’re a bit harder to get because the market is always more competitive.
Yet those jobs do exist, and we know plenty of truckers who are excited to have them. Like we said, it’s all about finding the right balance.
Best Trucking Jobs
Well, what are the best paying trucking jobs? According to Trucks Training, here are the top 5 paying truck driving jobs!
- Liquid hauling: Gas, chemicals, other hazmat are dangerous. That’s why this pays so well!
- Oversized loads: Sure, you need a special license and training, but it pays at a higher rate!
- Ice road trucking: It’s not just about being a TV star, it’s more about keeping a cool head on dangerous road conditions.
- Specialty Car Haulers: Whether it’s a damaged car or a luxury car, you can get higher pay hauling automobiles.
- Dump truck driving: This is a nice gig because you can stay local while earning bigger bucks. Not bad!
Whatever you end up doing, just make sure you have a strong trucking management software system – like TruckLogics – in place so that your trucking life doesn’t quickly become a nightmare.
What do you do in the trucking industry? We’d love to hear from you!